Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence's Bricks and Mortar (Giant's Causeway), whose perfect 5-year-old campaign could land him Horse of the Year honors, was voted the 2019 Secretariat Vox Populi Award winner in an online poll open to all fans. The award was created by Penny Chenery, owner of the great Secretariat, to recognize “the horse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the general public and gained recognition for Thoroughbred racing.”
The Chad Brown trainee, whose paternal grandsire Storm Cat was out of a Secretariat mare, won six of six this season, concluding with the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf last month. He was a Grade II winner at three, but made just one start late in 2018, having overcome a nearly career-ending case of stringhalt.
Bricks and Mortar will be honored during the annual Vox Populi Day at Santa Anita Jan. 11, which will also feature a poster giveaway and other events.
“The 2019 racing season offered varied and interesting stories of equine stars, and Bricks and Mortar was a standout among them,” said Kate Chenery Tweedy, daughter of the late Penny Chenery and family historian. “Bricks and Mortar's comeback is a favorite plot in American sports lore–the return of a champion. We congratulate his connections and look forward to the presentation of the Secretariat Vox Populi Award trophy in January.”
Added Klaravich principal Seth Klarman, “The well-being of all our horses is our primary concern. When Bricks and Mortar was injured, we wanted to give him whatever time he needed to have the best chance for a full recovery. And did he ever recover! We are grateful for the fans who voted for Bricks and Mortar, who is truly the horse of a lifetime.”
For more information on the award, visit secretariat.com.
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